Category: Motorsport

Formula 1 British Grand Prix 2019

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This weekend I got to fulfil a lifelong dream and attend a Formula 1 Grand Prix. Silverstone was the venue, and after a long journey out to Northamptonshire and a night in a hotel, I was straight on the bus to a racing circuit on which I’ve watched numerous races and driven countless laps in various video games since the 1990s.

A Silverstone Formula 1 ticket grants you roaming access on Friday and Saturday and a reserved seat on Sunday, so during the practice sessions I was able to watch from some of my favourite parts of the track, including Maggotts, Becketts, and the new start-finish straight, where I snapped my favourite photo of the weekend as the legend that is Kimi Raikonnen sped past in his Alfa Romeo towards turn one in Free Practice 2.

The Iceman speeds past his fans to begin a new lap

The crowd’s excitement increased noticeably before qualifying, which was a tight affair, with Valtteri Bottas just edging out home boy Lewis Hamilton. The atmosphere for the race itself was amazing – next level – and the two Mercedes drivers rose to the occasion as I witnessed a spectacular battle for the lead around Luffield on the opening laps.

In the end it was the timing of a safety car that handed Hamilton the victory, but while it was a shame not to see the fight for first play out, the British crowd were more than happy with the result. The cheers and waving Union Jacks only added to the occasion. I had a great time at my first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix and I can’t wait for the next!

Monaco GP and Indy 500

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As far as chilled out weekend days go, yesterday was a winner. I grabbed my buddies and a few beers and settled down on the sofa for a day of racing – first the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix and then the famous Indy 500 from Indianapolis.

Monaco isn’t known for being the most exciting grand prix, but this one had an unusually high amount of action, from Charles Leclerc attempting to make his way forward from the back of the field to Lewis Hamilton trying to hold off the challenge of Max Verstappen on rapidly deteriorating tyres – something he just about managed to do.

Simon Pagenaud celebrates on yard of bricks
Simon Pagenaud celebrates his Indy 500 victory on the yard of bricks

Then it was time for the all-American spectacle that is the Indy 500 – albeit one that was won by a Frenchman. After a few spectacular crashes and an intense battle over the last ten laps when the race was restarted, Simon Pagenaud retook the lead at the death, seeing off challenges from Alexander Rossi and Takuma Sato on the last few laps.

Over the last couple of years I’ve slowly been learning about Indy 500 traditions, but they keep coming. My friends were surprised to hear about what happens at the finishing line, where Pagenaud was expected to douse himself in milk and kiss the yard of bricks! It’s got nothing on Daniel Ricciardo’s traditional shoey, though…